10 Questions: Michael Winner

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The director of Death Wish gives his 10 answers.

By IGN FilmForce

Michael Winner has directed such Charles Bronson starrers as Death Wish, The Mechanic, and Chato's Land, as well as Lawman and Scorpio (both starring Burt Lancaster). In addition to his lengthy film career, Winner has now become a notable restaurant critic in his native England.

Come Dancing. A marvelous display of vicious competition with odd couples tippy-toeing about in bizarre sequined dresses and white tie and tails with malice toward other contestants on full display.

4. What do you feel has been your most important professional accomplishment to date?

To still be around and in the game. I directed my first film in 1956. I'm still here. Longevity in show business is rare. Few achieve it.

5. Which project do you feel didn't live up to what you envisioned?

Bullseye. The scriptwriting was removed from my authority a few weeks before filming when we had very good English comic writers working on it and given by the financiers to an American who messed it up totally. We just didn't have time thereafter to do all that was needed. I still think it was very funny but it could have been crisper.

6. What is your favorite book?

Walter the Farting Dog. This topped the Sunday Times children's bestseller list. My girlfriend bought it for me. Is she hinting at something? It's a very funny story and beautifully illustrated.

7. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

I think every studio should give me whatever money I want for whatever project I want to make. Alternatively, I'd like to see the end of films released and constructed on cellulloid. It's a process unchanged since cinema was invented. Cellulloid is easily damaged, a fortune is wasted on making prints for the cinemas at ¿1,000 each and transporting them. Come the day digital or other technology permits films to be distributed on tape or DVD or some new method, we'll all be better off.

8. Who &#Array; or what &#Array; would you say has had the biggest influence on your career?

A director called Luis Bu¿uel who was the only director I know who never made a bad film. I was also brought up on and influencedv by Orson Welles, John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Carol Reed and Billy Wilder. They were my masters.

9. What is your next project?

A horror film called Madame Celeste about an evil clairvoyant.

10. What is the one project that you've always wanted to do, but have yet to be able to?

There was a marvelous script of William the Conqueror, an incredible tale of the love-hate relationship between William and Harold culminating in the battle of Hastings in 1066. Universal employed me on this in the late '60s and then the budget grew too big and they canceled it. I looked forward to saving a billionaire from being run over by a bus and he says "Have ¿300 million for your movie!"